The Cruise Examiner: New ships - Princess rebating commission?

Ponant and Norwegian Each Order A Ship – Other Cruise News – Princess Cruises Policy To Undermine Other Cruise Lines

July 22nd, 2013 by Kevin Griffin
Last week came the news that, on the heels of accepting its new Le Soleal, Marseilles-based Compagnie du Ponant had ordered a fourth 264-berth vessel of its Boreal class from Fincantieri, followed swiftly by the news that Norwegian Cruise Line had ordered a second 4,200-berth vessel of the “Breakaway Plus” class from Meyer Werft. The fourth Ponant sister will cruise in Alaska by summer and in Australia by winter, while the intended employment for the second Breakaway Plus ship has not yet been announced. Meanwhile, after years of efforts by Carnival and Royal Caribbean to stop rebating by travel agents, Princess Cruises has made a rather unusual announcement that it will allow agents to give away as much as 10% of the cruise fare in on board credits in order to capture more business from other lines.
THIS WEEK’S STORY
Ponant and Norwegian Each Order A Ship
Last week, French niche operator Compagnie du Ponant ordered a fifth ship for delivery in 2015. The new ship will sail in Alaska in the summer and in Australia and New Zealand during the Austral summer that coincide with the North American winter months.

L’Austral in Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard. The delivery ceremony

The ship will be built by Fincantieri in Italy and will join four others owned by Compagnie du Ponant. The new ship will be a sister ship of Le Boreal (2010), L’Austral (2011) and Le Soleal (2013), with a capacity for 264 passengers each.
Compagnie du Ponant’s niche combines luxury and expedition cruising. Last year it carried 20,000 passengers and had revenue of over €85 million, or about $112 million.
Norwegian Cruise Line has also announced plans for another new ship, giving it three on order. The Miami-based company has exercised an option with Meyer Werft of Germany to build a second 4,200-passenger vessel for delivery in spring 2017.
At 163,000 tons, the new ship will be a sister to the “Breakaway Plus” the line recently ordered for delivery in October 2015 and will be about 10% larger than the Norwegian Breakaway and sister ship Norwegian Getaway, under construction at the same shipyard.

Norwegian Breakaway

The new ship will cost approximately €700 million. Norwegian currently operates a fleet of twelve cruise ships.
OTHER CRUISE NEWS
Princess Cruises Policy To Undermine Other Cruise Lines
Despite Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean having made a number of efforts in recent years to get agents to hold the line on pricing and rebating, Princess Cruises has made a number of changes to its pricing and sales policies that are supposedly designed to improve partner relations.
Among the changes, agents will be able under certain circumstances to offer inboard credits of up to 10% of the fare, funded by the agency, in order to facilitate a sale.

Princess Cruises

The change to Princess’ advertised price policy amends one of its “value add” promotion options so that agents will no longer have to seek pre-approval from Princess to offer the credit, so long as it is offered on a promotion applicable to an approved fare.
According to the US edition of Travel Weekly, Brian O’Connor, vice president of North American sales for Princess, said the change isn’t intended to promote commission rebating, although that might be one result. He said Princess doesn’t condone rebating but concedes that a formal policy forbidding it is virtually unenforceable.
Being more flexible with inboard credits supposedly will make Princess more competitive, O’Connor said.
Princess is also giving its field sales managers the discretion to offer amenity points to win group business away from competitors, rather than having the decision made by yield managers at Princess headquarters, who often turned down such requests.
Also, Princess will provide itemized details about on inboard credits passengers are to receive in the shipboard folio at the start of a cruise, a change to give passengers more transparency.
This move certainly goes against the grain after many cruise lines trying to retain price integrity and restrain travel agents from rebating from their commission to buy bookings.
(Kevin Griffin is managing director of specialist cruise agency The Cruise People Ltd in London, England. For further information concerning cruises mentioned in this article readers can visit his blog)

Norwegian Cruise Line specials

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FEATURED PROMOTIONS:

Ø  Norwegian Getaway Sailings: Receive $100 onboard credit per stateroom, through July 26, 2013.

Ø  Upgrade and Go: Receive free Balcony upgrades and up to $350 OBC when you book a select cruise, through July 26, 2013.

Ø  Air Credits: Receive up to $1,000 in airfare credits on select sailings.

Ø  The Haven and Suites: Receive up to $300 onboard credit per stateroom for the Haven and Suites fleet-wide for reservations booked nine months or greater prior to sailing, through December 31, 2013.

FEATURED SAILINGS:

Ø  Norwegian Epic: $599 Best Available Inside/person: September 29, 2013; Seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain with ports of call including Naples, Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Provence (Marseille), France; Palma, Majorca, Spain

Ø  Norwegian Spirit: $779 Best Available Inside/person: August 3, 2013; 12-night Classic Mediterranean cruise from Venice, Italy with ports of call including Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Naples, Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Provence (Toulon), France; Barcelona, Spain

Ø  Norwegian Breakaway: $599 Best Available Inside/person: September 15, 2013; Seven-night Bermuda cruise from New York, with port of call in Kings Wharf, Bermuda

Ø  Norwegian Sky: $199 Best Available Inside/person: July 22, 3013; Four-night Bahamas cruise from Miami with ports of call including Grand Bahama Island; Nassau, Bahamas; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Ø  Norwegian Sun: $249 Best Available Inside/person: July 22, 2013: Seven-night Sawyer Glacier cruise from Whittier (Southbound), with ports of call including Hubbard Glacier; Icy Strait Point; Juneau; Sawyer Glacier; Skagway; Ketchikan; Cruising the Inside Passage; Vancouver, Canada

Ø  Norwegian Jade: $599 Best Available Inside/person: December 7, 2013: 11-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, with ports of call including Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Provence (Toulon), France; Barcelona, Spain; Valencia, Spain; Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy; Carthage, Tunisia; Palermo, Sicily; Naples, Italy 

ADDITIONAL HOT DEALS:

Alaska

Ø  Norwegian Sun: $249 Best Available Inside/person: July 22, 29, 2013; August 5, 12 2013; Seven-night Alaska cruise from Whittier to Vancouver, Canada

Ø  Norwegian Jewel: $499 Best Available Inside/person: July 27, 2013; August 3, 24, 2013; Seven-night Alaska cruise roundtrip from Seattle

Ø  Norwegian Pearl: $529 Best Available Inside/person: July 28, 2013; August 4, 18, 2013; Seven-night Alaska cruise roundtrip from Seattle

Bahamas & Florida

Ø  Norwegian Sky: $249 Best Available Inside/person: July 26, 2013; August 2, 9, 2013; Three-night Bahamas cruise roundtrip from Miami 

Bermuda

Ø  Norwegian Dawn: $629 Best Available Inside/person: July 26, 2013; August 2, 9, 2013; Seven-night Bermuda cruise roundtrip from Boston

Ø  Norwegian Breakaway: $599 Best Available Inside/person: July 28, 2013; August 11, 18, 2013; September 15, 22, 29, 2013; Seven-night Bermuda cruise from New York 

Caribbean

Ø  Norwegian Pearl: $329 Best Available Inside/person: November 5, 2013;  Seven-night Western Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Miami 

Europe

Ø  Norwegian Star: $799 Best Available Inside/person: August 5, 14, 2013; Nine-night Europe – Baltic cruise roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark 

Hawaii

Ø  Pride of America: $1,149 Best Available Inside/person: July 27, 2013; August 17, 24, 31, 2013; Seven-day Hawaii cruise roundtrip from Honolulu

The deals are available on select departures and do not include government taxes and fees.  They can be booked by contacting a travel agent or Norwegian reservations at (866) 234-0292.

Second Passenger Travels Complimentary With Cruiseco

 

For a limited time only, Cruiseco passengers making a new booking to travel onboard a Uniworld charter*, can take advantage of an unbeatable offer, with the second passenger travelling on a complimentary basis. *This offer is available exclusively on two cruises: Uniworld's Venice and Po River cruise, departing on 6 October; and Uniworld's Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley, departing on 20 October 2013.

Amber Wilson, Cruiseco's National Marketing Manager, explains that Uniworld's river cruises are widely regarded as one of the best ways to discover Europe.

"Uniworld's river cruises travel into the heart of European cities, giving guests easy access to the best of what Europe has to offer. They can admire the views from the luxury of their room, explore the cities and countryside, sample a variety of local wines from village vineyards and feast on traditional dishes prepared using the finest ingredients."

"For guests who have always dreamt of a European getaway, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a great saving before cabins sell out. This is a perfect opportunity for travellers who have always wanted to travel to Europe in style, to take advantage of great savings," says Wilson.

This seven night cruise onboard a luxury Uniworld river cruise includes: all meals onboard; fine wines, beer and soft drink with lunch and dinner; selected tours in each port; captivating local entertainment; and onboard gratuities. Book now to receive this special offer.

*The special offer applies to the below Uniworld cruises. Terms and conditions apply. This offer is subject to availability and change.

Venice and the Po River: Departs 6 October 2013

Cruise Venice and the Po River for seven nights aboard the River Countess.

First passenger from $4,075 and second passenger cruises FREE* based on per person twin share, cruise only.

Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley: Departs 20 October 2013

Visit Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley for seven nights aboard the Queen Isabel. First passenger from $4,095 and second passenger cruises FREE* based on per person twin share, cruise only.

To book whilst cabins are still available, or to find details of your local Cruiseco agent, please visit www.cruising.com.au.  

  

Kai Tak moves from jumbo jets to megaliners as Hong Kong embraces surge in cruising

from Roderick Eime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has long been recognised as one of the world's most dramatic ports. Embraced by towering hills, the vast stalk-like cityscape rises high into the low clouds along the narrow edge of foreshore that supports a population of around 7 million.

With the imminent opening of the gleaming new Kai Tak cruise terminal on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong harbour, Australians will soon have a new way to experience one of their all-time favourite travel destinations.

Opened in 1966, the current OceanTerminal is limited to ships of around 100,000 GT and 10m draft, while the new Kai Tak cruise terminal will permit two 360m vessels of up to 220,000 GT to disembark and clear 5,400 passengers and 1,200 crew at a rate of 3,000 per hour.

In a test of the terminal's capability, Royal Caribbean's 311m, 138,279 GT Mariner of the Seas was the first mega luxury cruise liner to dock at the two-berth terminal in June this year, with the event hailed as a success.

"Kai Tak was the site of our legendary airport (closed in 1998) and is now turning a historic page by connecting Hong Kong with the rest of the world through the seven seas," Commissioner of Tourism Philip Yung said to AFP. “With the addition of this new facility, Hong Kong is in full gear to receive mega cruise ships"

Ships' masters should also be pleased with the simplified berthing procedures at Kai Tak, which is much closer closer to the eastern harbour exit.

Mariner of the Seas arrives for Kai Tak's inaugural berthing (HKTB)

The terminal will deliver passengers directly to the East Kowloon waterfront and commands spectacular views of Victoria Harbour. It is within easy reach of a number of key attractions including Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kowloon Walled City Park, Chi Lin Nunnery / Nan Lian Garden, Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar. Also located nearby is Festival Walk. This shopping complex is just 10 minutes away and houses many of the world's best-known brands. Quickest airport access is 10 km by road to Kowloon Station Airport Express Line where departing passengers can also check-in.

Currently around 50,000 Australians visit HK every year cramming into the city's busy hotels, running at an occupancy rate approaching 90 per cent. Cruise passengers from all markets spent almost HK$75million in 2012, up nearly 6 per cent from 2011, not counting those who embarked or disembarked their cruise in HK. It is likely that HK's overall tourism arrivals will exceed 50 million n 2013 if the current 16% growth rate is maintained.

The opening of the new terminal signals HK's intention to transform the city into a major regional cruise hub which will likely spike the city's tourism figures yet further, so it remains to be seen whether HK's already near capacity hotel market will cope with the new influx.

The next arrival at Kai Tak is RCCL's Voyager of the Seas on 15th October, followed by Diamond Princess and Superstar Aquarius.

Official HKTB site

<< For further information on attractions and ideas for visiting Hong Kong, see the HKTB Official Travel Site

Regent Orders A Fourth Ship – Other Cruise News – Queen Mary 2 Completes 200th Atlantic Crossing – MSC To Double Its Ex-UK Fleet Next September

by Kevin Griffin

Last week came the news that Regent Seven Seas Cruises had finally ordered its long-anticipated fourth ship, a 738-berth 54,000-tonner that will have a passenger space ratio of more than 73 gross tons per passenger. This compares to the new record of 80 tons per passenger on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2, introduced this May. Elsewhere, Queen Mary 2 completed her 200th North Atlantic crossing this weekend and has now carried about 500,000 Transatlantic passengers. Meanwhile, MSC Cruises will double its ex-UK presence in September 2014 with the addition of the MSC Magica to the UK-based MSC Opera and has announced a new UK boss.


THIS WEEK’S STORY

Regent Orders A Fourth Ship
Last week Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that it had entered into a contract with Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard to build a fourth ship. The new all-suite, all-balcony ship will be named Seven Seas Explorer and is scheduled for delivery in Summer 2016.
At 54,000 gross tons and accommodating 738 guests, Seven Seas Explorer will be the largest vessel in Regent’s fleet, and will boast one of the highest space ratios and staff-to-guest ratios in cruising.
The new ship is part of Regent’s strategy for expansion in the luxury market. Since purchasing the Regent Seven Seas brand in 2008, its ships have sailed full with industry-leading yields, and expanding the fleet will allow for a greater choice of itineraries.
With the new Explorer, overall fleet capacity will grow nearly 40%, making Regent the world’s largest luxury cruise line.
Seven Seas Explorer will feature spacious and sophisticated designer suites, elegant public areas, six gourmet restaurants, an expansive spa, a signature nine-deck atrium, two-story Explorer Theatre and the many other amenities that can be expected from an upmarket line.

Seven Seas Voyager passing between two rocks (Faraglioni) at Capri

The onboard use of exotic stones and polished woods, designer furniture, rich fabrics and sophisticated lighting, combined with a museum-quality eclectic art collection, will position Seven Seas Explorer in its own sector in ultra-luxury cruising.
The Seven Seas Explorer follows the 28,550-ton Seven Seas Navigator (490 guests), complete by Mariotti in 1999, the 48,015-ton Seven Seas Mariner (708 guests), launched by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in 2001 and the 41,827-ton Seven Seas Voyager (708 guests), completed by Mariotti in 2003.

Riviera at Barcelona on the eve of her christening.
Photo courtesy Peter Knego – MaritimeMatters.com

Further design aspects will be announced later but when they are it will be interesting to see the differences and similarities between the new Regent ship and sister line Oceania’s larger and more recently-built Fincantieri newbuildings, the 66,084-ton 1,250-berth Marina (2011) and Riviera (2012).
Other ships to be delivered in 2016 include Viking Cruises’ second new 47,000-tonner, two new ships for Royal Caribbean, its third Quantum class and third Oasis class ships, and one new ship each for three Carnival brands – Aida, Carnival and Holland America.

OTHER CRUISE NEWS

Queen Mary 2 Completes 200th Atlantic Crossing
Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 completed her 200th North Atlantic Crossing on Saturday, when she arrived at Southampton from New York, from whence she had sailed on Saturday July 6.
Queen Mary 2 is the largest, longest, widest and most expensive ocean liner ever built, and is now the only ocean liner in regular service. On board for the voyage were keynote speakers presenting talks about the ship, as well as special Big Band performances.

Queen Mary 2 in Liverpool

In the course of Queen Mary 2′s 200 Transatlantic Crossings, Cunard Line has now carried half a million Transatlantic passengers in her.
Outgong Cunard line president Peter Shanks said, “As each year in service passes, Queen Mary 2 becomes even more special and we will continue to celebrate and cherish her milestones and history. Looking at Cunard’s earlier Queens, Queen Mary crossed the Atlantic 1,001 times, Queen Elizabeth crossed 896 times and Queen Elizabeth 2 crossed 812 times.”
To commemorate her 200th Crossing, Stephen Payne OBE, who was responsible for the overall design of Queen Mary 2, presented his own insight into the ship’s construction. “Queen Mary 2 embodies the attributes of a true liner, including reserves of stability and deep draught. Combined with her great size, these attributes ensure that the ship can achieve a level of Atlantic sea-keeping superior to any other liner in history,” said Payne. “No other passenger ship is as much at home on the North Atlantic as Queen Mary 2.”

MSC To Double Its Ex-UK Fleet Next September

MSC Magnifica in Dubrovnik

MSC will temporarily double its ex-UK fleet next year when it bases its MSC Magnifica in Southampton for a short series of cruises from September 2014. The 86,600-ton, 2,550-passenger Magnifica will join the 58,600-ton, 1,756-passenger UK-based MSC Opera.
The Magnifica will offer four seven-night, round-trip cruises departing from Southampton and calling at Zeebrugge, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Le Havre, with fares starting at £429 per person including free parking or coach transfer to Southampton.
MSC’s announcement comes as it confirms Carnival UK’s former head of sales Giles Hawke will be joining MSC line this November as managing director UK and Ireland.

(Kevin Griffin is managing director of specialist cruise agency The Cruise People Ltd in London, England. For further information concerning cruises mentioned in this article readers can visit his blog)

Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas in July

Imagine a Christmas that's stress-free, with everything taken care of from Christmas dinner to the decorations and festive activities that also come with an ocean view.  Make Christmas this year a holiday the whole family can enjoy, onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. And the good news is that Royal Caribbean is offering some very special holiday deals for a limited time only, so what are you waiting for?

OFFER DETAILS:

• Royal Caribbean is offering up to $200 bonus onboard credit per stateroom on all its cruises departing between 18 - 31 December 2013 of 5-nights or longer

-        For Interior and Oceanview bookings guests will receive $100 bonus onboard credit per stateroom

-        For Balconies and Suites bookings guests will receive $200 bonus onboard credit per stateroom

• Furthermore, for the 9-night South Pacific and Fiji  Christmas cruise on Voyager of the Seas departing 18 December 2013, Royal Caribbean is offering a free Balcony upgrade. Lucky guests can book a Balcony stateroom for the price of an Oceanview stateroom.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• This offer is for new bookings made between 14 - 31 July 2013, for cruises departing 18 - 31 December 2013 of 5 nights or longer

LEAD FARE:

1. Nine-night Fijian Dream cruise on VOYAGER OF THE SEAS

Prices start from $1,499* per person for an interior stateroom, or $2,199* per person for an Oceanview booking which includes a free upgrade to a Balcony Stateroom. This sailing includes the bonus onboard credit offer, and departs Sydney Wednesday 18 December 2013. Christmas day will be celebrated cruising at sea before returning to Sydney Friday 27 December.

2. Nine-night Tropical delights cruise on RADIANCE OF THE SEAS

Prices from  $1,659* per person for an interior stateroom;  $1,989* per person for an Oceanview; and $2,619* per person for a Balcony stateroom. This sailing includes the bonus onboard credit offer for Christmas cruises and departs Sydney Friday 20 December 2013, with Christmas day spent at sea between Lifou, Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines, New Caledonia.

3. Five-night Spice of Southeast Asia cruise on MARINER OF THE SEAS

Prices start from $1,039* per person for an interior stateroom; $1,209* per person for an Oceanview; and $1,299* per person for a Balcony stateroom.  This sailing departs Singapore on 23 December 2013, and includes the bonus onboard credit offer for Christmas cruises.

* prices are per person twin share based on the lowest available stateroom

 

Is Cruising Safer Now?

IMO Adopts More Safety Policies

Although cruise ship accidents such as the Costa Concordia are rare, the International Maritime Organization implemented three more safety policies recommended by an operational review conducted after the January 2012 tragedy. All 10 policies from the review have now been included in formal IMO standards specific to passenger ship safety, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The safety recommendations include a policy to ensure that every passenger attends a muster drill, limits to personnel who can access a ship’s bridge, and requirements that ships carry a number of lifejackets in excess of the number of people onboard a ship. “As a result of our relentless focus on passenger safety and comfort and our ongoing mission of continuous improvement in shipboard operations, cruising remains one of the safest vacation experiences available today,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA.